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Thomas Alfred Ball

Rank:Private

Serial No:Serial No. 15511

Regiment:16th Field Ambulance

Suburb:Glenfield

Thomas Alfred Ball - Information

When Thomas decided to join the war effort, he was living in Glenfield with his wife Blanche Ann. Here, Thomas supported his family working as a cook, while also serving in the NSW Mounted Rifles. Thomas signed up on the 16th of September 1915 on Milson Island, aged 37. Shortly after enlisting, he was designated as a Private to the Australian Army Medical Corps at Liverpool. After extensive medical training, he was sent overseas for war service. He departed Sydney on the HMAT Aeneas on the 30th of September 1916.

Thomas disembarked in England in late November, and was marched into the AAMC Training Depot at No. 2 Camp. In March 1917, he was taken on strength to the 16th Field Ambulance at Wareham. He was then attached for duty with the 61st Battalion from the 27th of March until 21st of September. In mid November, he was charged with a military infraction. At Newtown, he was caught in an out of bounds area with no pass or identification, and was fined 1 days pay. In January 1918, he was transported to the Western Front in France to aid soldiers closer to the front. He left the Australian General Base Depot to join the 15th Field Ambulance in May. Thomas brought relief to many scared and wounded troops, wanting to escape the horror of the battlefields to casualty stations and hospitals. After the war ended, Thomas continued to serve with the Field Ambulance. Although the guns were silent, the suffering continued. He eventually set sail for Australia onboard the Port Lyttleton on the 10th of June 1919. He then returned to an anxious Blanche, whom had moved to a property in Ingleburn.